An Inventor's Shop of Oddities and Gadgets

Chapter 1.1

"C.O.G.?"

"Clyde's Oddities and Gadgets, ma'am."

"Huh." The woman tilted her head in contemplation. In front of her sat a small building - brown bricks, dulled windows with a bronze exterior. It didn't look like much compared to the two looming skyscrapers that neighbored it. It had a homely appeal to it, she supposed. She strolled closer and peered inside. Darkness. "It looks closed."

"It would seem you are right, ma'am."

"And it would seem that you're feeling oddly sarcastic today." The girl pouted towards the man in question. Aged features, gray hair, and a neatly combed mustache sat perfectly on the elder's light skin. Prim and proper with a quiet confidence that was only emphasized by his clean, black suit. "Any reason for that?"

"What sarcasm, ma'am?"

"There! That!" She pointed straight at him. "That sarcasm, Ullyse."

The man chuckled but said nothing more as he continued to stare at the large 'C.O.G.' sign on top of the building. She looked with him. Judging from the words alone, it's a workshop. An Inventor's Workshop. Interesting.

Why is it here though? Shouldn't it be near the Polytechnics Bazaar or at the very least the Creative Commons? A quick glance at Ullyse showed that the man was thinking the same thing.

Hm...

She leaned forward to get a better look at the contents inside. She could see silhouettes hidden between the darkness, maybe the inventions that the Inventor is working o-

Did something move?

"Customers?!"

The duo whipped towards the source. Innocent amber brown eyes mopped with golden hair met theirs. The man was carrying a box and considering the obvious strain on his arms, it must weigh quite a bit. He didn't seem to mind, in fact, he looked positively delighted at their appearance. He hastily placed the box near the shop and met up with them.

"Are you the owner of this residence?" She dusted off her velvet and black gown and raised her pale arms halfway. The boy eagerly met hers with an enthusiastic gait.

"Yeah." He smiled and she couldn't help but mimic it. His mood was contagious. "I'm Clyde Ferrus." That bright smile gained an embarrassed tint. "I'm kind of new here. Recently set up shop."

"Cecilia Garnet," she introduced herself with a grin before pointing at the elder beside her, "and this is Ullyseus Gerald, but you may call him Ullyse."

"Ullyseus if preferable."

"Don't listen to him." Cecilia waved the man's insistence. She leaned towards the blonde shopkeeper. She whispered, "He likes it, trust me."

"I don't."

"He keeps denying it though."

"I don't."

The woman giggled and pointed back at Gerald. "See what I mean?"

"Definitely." Clyde grinned.

"Definitely not." Ullyse muttered but the man was otherwise ignored.

"Denial." Cecilia cooed. She winked at the blonde in front of her. "See?"

Clyde laughed. "Well, it's nice to meet you Cecilia and Ullyse." The old man coughed lightly but otherwise didn't react. He crossed his arms and attempted to give a confident smile. Cecilia's social experience couldn't help but judge the gesture. It looked forced, inexperienced, but somehow held an innocence that caught her attention.